Airport hotels have long been the go-to option for those groups looking to easily get in, have a quick meeting, and get out, without breaking the bank. No muss and no fuss.
While convenience, affordability and accessibility remain major selling points, airport properties have evolved over the years to also feature wonderful amenities, plush guest accommodations and meeting spaces that rival those found in downtown hotels.
In short, the hotels located nearby major hubs are no longer considered plain Jane big-box alternatives removed from the action. Rather, they are some of the coolest and most luxurious hotels on the market, where groups can count on top-shelf service and a comfortable experience.
According to Jan D. Freitag, senior vice president, lodging insights for STR, a hospitality industry data and analytics provider, “meeting demand in the U.S. is at an all-time high—we have never sold more group rooms than this year.”
Considering those great numbers, it makes sense that airport area portfolios are getting larger and are regularly spiffing up.
Atlanta is just one of the airport areas that is booming with new and/or renovated product, all with an eye on group business.
“These are first-class hotels representing almost every brand and offering all the same conveniences as downtown hotels at a more affordable price,” said Cookie Smoak, president of ATL Airport District, a DMO whose primary mission is booking more meetings at properties nearby Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Upcoming builds include Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel and an InterContinental hotel, which are scheduled to open in April 2017 and sometime in 2018, respectively, and Solis Hotel, which is being constructed adjacent to the Porsche Experience Center and set to open in 2017.
The recent renovations at Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel and the newly branded Hyatt Regency Los Angeles Airport (formerly Concourse Hotel), which will unveil its $75 million redesign in January, support the rise in bookings at the LAX airport corridor, aka Gateway to L.A.
“Not only for short-term meetings but also long-term, as those properties offer convenient accessibility to the future Rams stadium and entertainment complex, opening in 2019,” said Darren K. Green, senior vice president of sales for the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.
Like other major hubs throughout the country, LAX properties especially cater to the needs of business travelers by offering “special design touches and amenities that deliver superb comfort and encourage interaction,” Green added.
As an example, he cited the Hyatt Regency’s redesign, which will feature the all-new Hyatt Regency Conference Center with more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space and an ideation room to inspire creativity and mix things up.
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The Cool Factor
If you haven’t been to an airport property in some years, you’ll likely be surprised by the top-to-bottom experience, including inviting lobbies, pops of color, fantastic on-site dining and freshly designed guest rooms and public spaces.
Located five minutes from Chicago O’Hare International Airport is one such impressive hotel with superb meeting facilities, cutting-edge technology, an art gallery and tasty dining options.
“Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel is a true ‘destination’ in an airport market,” said the property’s managing director, Paul E. Ohm.
Located about 150 feet from the Denver International Airport is the Westin Denver International Airport, which also has that destination feel.
“The hotel is both refreshing and unique and has an uncanny ability to make you forget you are at an airport almost instantly after entering,” said Michele Chalupa, the property’s director of sales and marketing.
Features of this LEED-certified, architecturally stunning hotel include a lobby holding a memorable art installation, a pool with floor-to-ceiling views of Denver and the Rocky Mountains, and soundproof guest rooms with views of the plaza, airport, city and mountains.
Two standout properties in the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport market are the Grand Hyatt DFW and Hyatt Place DFW, which opened in March this year.
According to John Terrell, vice president, commercial development for DFW International Airport, which owns the two hotels, the former is “an oasis within the international terminal” that features exceptional dining, a meeting concierge app and a rooftop fitness center with spa services.
And at Hyatt Place DFW, the coolest asset is probably the caring staff, said Terrell.
“Of course, we have also added some unique amenities to the building,” he said, citing an open gallery area that flows from the front desk to the bar and dining area, an indoor pool with a retractable glass wall so guests can watch planes take off and land as they swim, and an outdoor patio area with a fireplace.
Another noteworthy airport property is the newly renovated Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport.
“Our hotel’s trademark is our stunning atrium, which has been transformed to maximize space flow and natural light with various flexible meeting space options for impromptu meetings,” said Joel Alexander, the property’s director of sales and marketing.
Also recently renovated is the Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport.
“Our ownership worked with progressive designers to add richly textured wall papers, avant-garde yet approachable design elements and visually fascinating lighting fixtures throughout the entire property,” said Jeff DeMenna, the property’s director of sales and marketing. “Our guests comment on them frequently.”
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What’s Trending?
These days, airport hotels, and hotels in general, need to implement design concepts that accommodate a more social environment, with small meeting/sitting areas throughout the lobby and public spaces, according to STR’s Freitag.
“The trend is toward ‘alone together,’ where workers enjoy being in a social space with other workers, but each one is on her/his own device typing away, not interacting with people in the same room but with co-workers thousands of miles away,” he said.
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport is one property that successfully met this demand for flexible social space.
“People are no longer working alone in their rooms. Now, people want to work in open areas, interacting and socializing seamlessly,” said the property’s Alexander. “With this in mind, we recently completed a top-to-bottom transformation completely revamping and improving the guest experience, from the sleek lobby to the brand-new 3SIXTY bar, restaurant and market.”
Another trend, according to DFW International Airport’s Terrell, is to use various areas of the hotel for smaller meetings.
At Hyatt Place DFW, he said, small groups have used a large conference-style table that is located off the side of the lobby, the gallery seating area and the living room space that is a part of the hotel’s five suites.
“Attendees and planners are looking for quality product, convenient location and outstanding service,” added Denise Bednarczyk Garrett, director of sales and marketing at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which has direct connect to the terminal.
Groups enjoy meeting at this centrally located hotel, she added, and trend toward sticking around the property.
“No directions, taxis or even winter attire is required in the winter months; you can fly from 80-degree weather and arrive to freezing temps and never leave the building,” she said. “In addition, guests are not trapped because we are at the airport—overnight registered guests are able to walk through the lobby into the terminal and enjoy over 90 shops and restaurant options.”
With all their wonderful amenities and attention to detail when it comes to executing meetings, airport hotels remain more affordable than downtown hotels.
Through August 2016, according to STR’s Freitag, the average daily room rate at urban properties was $173, and $114 at airport properties.
“In comparison to downtown locations, airport hotels have a lot of value to offer without sacrificing on experience,” said Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel’s Ohm.
Even those airport hotels with higher rates maintain affordability.
“At first glance our pricing may seem slightly higher. However, once you eliminate the need for taxis and rental cars, most savvy travelers realize it is actually a savings,” said the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s Bednarczyk Garrett. “Most business travelers would agree; it’s difficult to put a price tag on your time.”
Another trend is that many industries are requiring confidentiality and discretion during meetings.
“This was top of mind during our design phase,” said the Westin Denver International Airport’s Chalupa. “Our meeting space is entirely contained on the second floor of the hotel, and flexible rooms enable groups to have secured, hard-walled space with breakouts to accommodate their various needs.”
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Location, Location, Location
Airport properties reside in an enviable position, as their accessibility easily accommodates fly-in/fly-out groups and their proximity to nearby city attractions makes it a snap for groups to explore.
“Queens has several world-class hotel properties near JFK and LaGuardia airports, offering plenty of flexible meeting space, business amenities and spacious accommodations that delegates can come to expect when booking a New York City meeting,” said Jerry Cito, SVP of convention development at NYC & Company. “When the meeting is over, delegates can take advantage of everything the borough has to offer, including catching a baseball game at Citi Field and exploring the old World’s Fair grounds at Flushing Meadows.”
Two standout properties here are Crowne Plaza JFK Airport Hotel NYC, the newest property at JFK, and the recently renovated LaGuardia Plaza Hotel, which is located at LaGuardia Airport.
And coming on-line in 2018 as part of the redesign of the old TWA terminal at JFK is a hotel complex with 505 guest rooms, 40,000 square feet of event space, eight restaurants and an observation deck.
Flying across the country, the properties in Seattle Southside are in close proximity to the airport, but according to Meagan McGuire, VP sales and services for the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, one would hardly believe it.
“The way the airport runway is situated masks the negative aspects of an airport, namely noise, leaving only benefits like ease of access for visitors,” she said, adding that meeting planners often request airport properties, as they’d rather the event is held away from a crowded and expensive downtown area. “One property, Cedarbrook Lodge, is a resort lodge on 11 acres of natural restored wetlands with unique Northwest charm. Many other Seattle Southside properties offer similar, unique features one wouldn’t expect to find at an airport hotel.”
Among them are Four Points by Sheraton Seattle Airport South, which opened in January with 225 guest rooms and five meeting spaces.
